Catholic Mass linens play a vital role in the liturgical celebration of the Holy Eucharist, emphasizing the reverence and respect due to Christ’s Real Presence. Each of these linens is designed with both practical and symbolic functions that aid in ensuring the proper care and handling of the Eucharistic elements, which are sacred. Here’s a summary of the key Mass linens and their significance:
1. The Corporal
Purpose: A corporal is a sacred linen cloth used during the celebration of the Catholic Mass. The corporal is a square white linen cloth that is unfolded and placed on the altar where the Sacred Species (the consecrated Body and Blood of Christ) will rest during the Eucharistic Prayer.
The purpose of the corporal is to catch any small particles of the consecrated Host or any drops of the Precious Blood that may fall during the Mass. Since the Catholic Church teaches that Christ is fully present in even the smallest particle of the Eucharist, the corporal helps ensure that none of these sacred elements are lost or treated disrespectfully.
After Mass, the corporal is carefully folded in a specific way to contain any remaining particles and is washed in a manner similar to the purificator, with proper reverence.
Symbolism: The name "corporal" comes from the Latin word corpus, meaning "body." This reminds the faithful of the Body of Christ, whose presence becomes truly and sacramentally present during the Mass.
In short, the corporal serves the sacred function of safeguarding the Eucharistic elements and preserving their dignity during the liturgy.
2. The Purificator
Purpose: A smaller rectangular linen, the purificator is used by the priest or deacon to wipe the chalice and paten after the distribution of Holy Communion. It helps clean the vessels that have contained the Precious Blood of Christ. It is folded in three layers lengthwise and is used primarily for wiping the chalice after a person receives the Precious Blood during Communion, as well as to cleanse any sacred vessels (like the chalice or paten) during or after the distribution of Communion. The purificator is handled with great care and reverence, given that it touches the Precious Blood of Christ. After Mass, it is carefully laundered by specific instructions, often involving soaking the cloth in water to ensure that any traces of the Precious Blood are properly handled before washing. This process emphasizes the sacredness of the Eucharistic species and the reverence owed to them.
Symbolism: Its use reflects the care and reverence shown to the sacred vessels, which have held the Body and Blood of the Lord. In this way, it signifies the need for purity in approaching the Eucharist.
In summary, the purificator serves the practical and sacred role of maintaining the cleanliness of the vessels that hold the Eucharistic elements, while also reflecting the reverence due to the Holy Eucharist.
3. The Pall
Purpose: The pall is a small, square, stiffened piece of linen used during the Catholic Mass to cover the chalice. Its primary purpose is to protect the contents of the chalice, particularly the Precious Blood, from dust, insects, or any other impurities that might fall into it during the celebration of the Eucharist.
The pall is usually decorated with a cross or other religious symbols and is often stiffened with cardboard or plastic to maintain its shape. It is placed over the chalice after the wine and water have been mixed, and it remains there until the Eucharistic Prayer, when it is removed so the priest can consecrate the wine into the Blood of Christ. After Communion, it is placed back on the chalice to continue protecting it.
In a symbolic sense, the pall can also be seen as a sign of reverence and respect for the sacred contents of the chalice. Every item on the altar during Mass has both practical and symbolic significance, and the pall ensures that the Precious Blood is treated with proper dignity and care.
In short, the pall serves both a practical purpose of protecting the chalice and a symbolic role in emphasizing the holiness of the Eucharist.
Symbolism: The pall recalls the burial shroud of Christ, symbolizing His death and sacrifice for humanity’s salvation. It serves as a reminder of the reverence due to His Precious Blood.
4. The Lavabo Towel
Purpose: Lavabo towels are small linen towels used by the priest during the Mass at the lavabo, a part of the liturgy where the priest washes his hands before the Eucharistic Prayer. The name "lavabo" comes from the Latin word "lavabo," meaning "I will wash," which refers to Psalm 26:6, where the priest traditionally recites, "I will wash my hands among the innocent and will compass thine altar, O Lord" during the ritual.
The washing of the hands has both a symbolic and practical meaning:
Symbolically, it represents the priest's desire for interior purification, cleansing himself before handling the sacred elements of the Eucharist.
Practically, it originated from a time when priests would often need to clean their hands after handling offerings from the faithful, which were sometimes physical gifts like food or money.
After the priest pours water over his hands at the lavabo, the lavabo towel is used to dry his hands. Like the other linens used at Mass (such as the purificator and corporal), it is treated with care and reverence, although it does not come into contact with the Eucharist.
In summary, the lavabo towel is a practical yet symbolic liturgical item used during the Mass to assist the priest in the hand-washing rite, signifying purification before the central Eucharistic celebration.
Symbolism: The washing of hands, accompanied by the prayer "Lord, wash away my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin" (Psalm 51:2), reminds the priest and the congregation of the need for inner purity when offering or approaching the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
5. The Altar Cloth
Purpose: The altar cloth is a large, white linen or fabric cloth that covers the altar during the celebration of the Mass. It is one of the most important liturgical linens, both symbolically and practically, and has been part of the Church's tradition for many centuries.
Significance of the Altar Cloth:
Symbolic Meaning: The altar cloth represents the dignity and sacredness of the altar, which itself symbolizes Christ as the cornerstone of the Church. The altar is the table of the Lord, where the Eucharistic sacrifice takes place, and covering it with a cloth highlights its importance and holiness. The white color of the cloth symbolizes purity and the Resurrection of Christ.
Historical Roots: In the early Church, the altar was often a wooden or stone table. The cloth was originally used as a practical covering, but over time it gained deep symbolic meaning. It also parallels the cloth that was used to wrap Christ's body after His death, further linking the altar with the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist.
Practical Use: The altar cloth protects the altar itself and also serves to catch any crumbs of the consecrated Host or drops of the Precious Blood, thus ensuring that no part of the Eucharist is treated without due reverence. Several layers of altar cloths are often used to reinforce this protection.
Canonical Requirements:
According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), the altar should always be covered with at least one white cloth during the celebration of Mass. This emphasizes that the altar is set apart for the sacred actions of the Eucharist. The cloth should be clean and beautiful, reflecting the respect and reverence due to the celebration of the Eucharistic sacrifice.
Layers of the Altar Cloth:
Some churches use multiple layers of altar cloths. Traditionally, there are three layers: the bottom layer may cover the entire altar, the middle layer serves as a backup, and the top layer is the visible, most ornate cloth.
In summary, the altar cloth is an essential liturgical item that serves both a practical function in protecting the altar and a profound symbolic role, reminding us of the altar's significance in the celebration of the Eucharist and its connection to Christ Himself.
Symbolism: The altar cloth is reminiscent of the tablecloth used at the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Eucharist. It emphasizes the dignity of the altar, symbolizing both the sacrifice of Christ and the sacred banquet where we receive Him.
Each of these linens plays a crucial role in both the practical celebration of the Mass and the spiritual life of the Church. Their use fosters an atmosphere of solemnity and reverence, helping the faithful to enter into the mystery of the Eucharist with proper devotion and awe.